Ex-cop alleged to be Mafia informant kills himself

The man, identified by Radio-Canada as Ian Davidson, was a 33-year member of the Montreal police before his retirement last year. (Radio-Canada)

A retired Montreal police officer who allegedly tried to sell the names of informants to the Mafia appears to have taken his own life.

The officer was a 33-year veteran of the Montreal police force prior to his retirement last year.

Radio-Canada has identified him as retired Det. Sgt. Ian Davidson.

The body was found in a Laval, Que., hotel room Wednesday morning.

Investigators with the organized crime squad were also seen at Davidson’s Laval home.

Laval police would only say they were investigating a death at a hotel on the service road off Highway 15.

They would not confirm the identity of the deceased.

Montreal police spokesman Ian Lafrenière said the officer's death will make their investigation more difficult.

"Now the person that had the ultimate piece of the puzzle will not be there to testify," said Lafrenière.

"For us, it's a tragic event but the investigation is not complete. We'll make sure that we got all the pieces of the evidence. If there was anyone else linked to that person, we'll try to find out," he said.

Lafrenière said it's important that police complete their investigation and make sure the list of confidential informants does not fall into the wrong hands.